SI’s writers may have picked LeBron for Sportsman of the Year, but now the fans have spoken, and swimmer Michael Phelps will grace the final cover of 2012 after winning Sports Moment of the Year.

Phelps is only the second cover athlete picked by the fans in the magazine’s 58-year history. He edged out Gabby Douglas for the award when fans picked the finale of his storied career over Gabby’s gold.

Phelps capped his Olympic career with six medals in London, bringing his haul to 22, including 18 gold; twice what any other athlete has won in history.

Other nominees for award were Peyton Manning’s return to the NFL with the Broncos, Usain Bolt’s historic runs in London, and the San Francisco Giants winning another World Series.

“Phelps capped his Olympic career with six medals in London, bringing his haul to 22, including 18 gold; twice what any other athlete has won in history.”
Well, not to belittle Mr Phelps at all, as he is one of the greatest Olympians ever, but the latter phrase depends on whom one asks. Mr Ray C. Ewry of the USA, in official events in what at the time were considered by the IOC to be official Olympic Games, won 10 gold medals, all individual. His events were the standing jumps in track and field. Feel free to make fun of them, but only if you can top his mark in the standing long jump of about 11 feet, 4 inches. Good luck.